The Maiden Anointed [semi-closed] [majorly backdated to March 1]

[acrookedchild]

"For five years, I have been the Maiden of Witches," Katherine Terrance, the former holder of the title, said with a soft smile. There might even have been some pride in it, though she was trying to hide that. After all, no one was supposed to be pleased that someone from Circle Midnight had been meant for this position. "Now, the time has come to step down and let another take my place."

Beside her stood Abigail Widdowson, dressed in a modest white dress that made her look remarkably more pale, almost like she was dressed for her own burial. The impression wasn't lost on her, either.

They were deep in Daybreak territory, overlooking the Thames from Wandsworth. The building was meant for ceremonies like this and large gatherings of a group of covens. Now, it was for this, with all witches invited to witness the making of a new Maiden, as she was to serve both Circles. To stand for all of them.

"I was told when I took the role that I would know when the time had come to step down, and I was told that I would know who to hand this mantle to. You are never given more than you can bear, the Maiden before me said. Now, I pass those words on to you."

Abigail knelt down on a pale blue pillow and bowed her head politely.

"I ask three questions of you," Katherine said with all due solemnity.

"I will answer," replied Abigail.

"Will you serve as the Maiden of Circle Midnight?"

"I shall."

"Will you serve as the Maiden of Circle Daybreak?"

"I shall."

"Will you serve as the Maiden of all Witches?"

"I shall."

"Then let it be known, that you, Abigail Widdowson, stand as Maiden of Witches. Part of the trinity that holds together all our sisters: the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. From this day on, you are an example to us all. And you will be watched."

Katherine picked up a small silver urn and poured a few drops of the scented oil onto Abigail's forehead. She bowed her head, then, and rose of her own power. Katherine offered no hand, and Abigail sought none. She stood straight, took a deep breath, then nodded to Katherine. The former Maiden responded by bowing her head to kiss the spot on Abigail's head where the oil was placed before she stepped away. Then, Abigail took the few steps down from the dais.

Under her own volition, she'd have scurried away. But she had cause to mingle. So, she would.


(Open to all witches!)

Comments

[stauncherhearted]

This was it. The dawning of a new era, and Nancy was there to witness it. In a powder blue dress, she shouldn't have been out of the hospital yet. But what the nurses and doctors didn't know wouldn't hurt them, and she'd scurry back in a matter of time. She needed to be here for Abby, even if she felt awful. Even if she looked awful.

Her hair, limp from hospital shampoos, was parted differently, to cover up the stitches on her skull, and copious amounts of magic and makeup were used to cover up her bruises and black eyes. She still looked an awful sort, wrist bandaged. She knew it wasn't good, that she'd escaped from the hospital, but she had to. For Abby, because the girl needed someone in her corner on a day like today.

In flats rather than heels, Nancy made polite conversation when it was required. She knows she looks out of sorts, the longer she keeps magic makeup on, the more exhausting it is for her, especially given her current condition, so by the time the ceremony is over, all that's hiding her bruises is makeup. But the moment the ceremony was over, she was waiting by Abby's side, hoping for the perfect moment to step in. Which happened to take a while given she was the maiden of honor.

"Abby," she said at long last, reaching out to take her friend's wrist. She gave her a tired smile. "Congratulations, love. I'm so proud of you." Please don't lecture her for breaking out of the hospital, especially when she's going back in later.

---

[and ota!]

Before and after the ceremony, Nancy's on the fringes, studying more than she is interacting. She didn't know most of the people here, but occasionally spotted a Midnight witch. There was so much hardship they'd faced. But going forward, they'd make the most of it. They'd rise to the occasion, as they had before.

Now someone get her a drink, please.

[acrookedchild]

"Nancy!"

Abby is careful in embracing her friend, but she does it nonetheless. After all, she still doesn't look too good. But the sight of her? Does Abby good. A lot of good. Seeing a purely friendly face? Lets her know for sure that she's not alone. After all, most Midnight witches wouldn't even dream of coming to this place, even for one of their own.

"What are you doing here?" But she's smiling as she says it. "You should still be resting."

[stauncherhearted]

"I came to see you, of course!" She says, thankful for the way Abby gently hugs her.

"I couldn't let you go through this all alone. What the hospital doesn't know won't hurt them. If anyone asks, I was at the chapel." She winks at her. "You look beautiful."

[acrookedchild]

Abby smiles wider and has to force herself not to cry. After all, it's welcome. So, so welcome. Because she needs this. Needs someone in her corner.

"It's great to see you. Thank you. Thank you for being here."

[stauncherhearted]

"I couldn't let anything stop me." She reaches out and gingerly takes Abby's hand in her uninjured one. "I'm in this as much as you are." And after all of their conversations, she had such newfound respect for the young woman in front of her.

"We're sisters, after all."

[acrookedchild]

"Sisters," she replies as she gives a small squeeze to Abby's hand. "In magic and blood."

Because their blood has mixed together. Did on that first night they all agreed to do this. To stand as a coven, to be seen. Something that set them apart and made her a target. But gave others to look at, too. Maybe gave someone hope.

"I couldn't have done this without both of you."

Even if their third couldn't be here.

[stauncherhearted]

"We're here for you no matter what. None of us would be here if it weren't for you." If it weren't for Abby and her fury and desire to do something. They'd already made such a change in their small world.

"Let me get you some champagne. I think we need a small toast." Yes, let's get drunk on top of our meds, Nancy. You can't get drunk at the chapel.

[acrookedchild]

"Just a small glass. For each of us."

It's almost motherly, she knows, but she offers it all the same. Because she knows at least part of what Nancy is on, and combining it with any alcohol is bad. But a little... she can let her friend -- her sister -- slide on that.

[stauncherhearted]

"Right," she promises, and leaves to make quick work of the champagne. She may or may not have a sip of hers before she actually gets to Abby, but each glass is no more than half-empty when she arrives back.

"Alright, here we are. There's yours, and mine." She raises her glass. "To a brand new era with a brand new Maiden! And, of course, the shadows." Shadow Coven. She couldn't be too loud about it, even here. She didn't want Redbright or Norrell knowing more about her than they had to.

Never mind that both Redbright and Norrell knew more about her than even she thought.

[acrookedchild]

Abby takes her glass and raises it as well.

"They will always be there," she says in reply to the shadow remark. Because those are true enough. It's everything, the Shadow Coven. They need each other. All of them. "And we will keep our eyes on them. And out for them."

[stauncherhearted]

"Of course. They are our sisters and brothers, after all." It was a good feeling, to have this strange sort of family. Nancy had never had a "typical" family by any means. Something to have one day, yes, if she found someone that loved her, and she loved back. But for now, the melting pot of Shadow was just fine.

[knowstheworld]

Nancy isn't the only one who's more comfortable hanging about on the fringes of the gathering, although perhaps for different reasons. It's easier for Childermass to catch hold of snippets of conversation this way, easier to spy on the social comings and goings of the other witches if he doesn't have to worry about any social interactings on his part.

That is not to say that he doesn't participate in any conversations at all. He is there when Norrell needs him. And as he spots a familiar face in the crowd, he cannot help but sidle over towards her, even if perhaps she is one of the last people she would care to see there. "I suspect you have seen better days, miss," he remarks to her, offhandedly.

[stauncherhearted]

She had the worst luck in all of London. It was official.

Trying not to sigh out-loud and failing miserably, Nancy turns towards Childermass with a tight smile. "And aren't you lucky the bruises you gave me aren't adding to this look?" Yeah, from the way he'd grabbed her he'd left a lovely mark on her pale skin.

[knowstheworld]

Childermass shrugs. He doesn't much care whether he'd left marks on her or not. He hadn't had it out to cause her harm. If she had cooperated with him, she would have gotten out easier after all. He doesn't particularly care what happened to her, especially knowing that she's not going to tell him one way or the other. But she does make a sight like that, to be true.

"I hardly think that lucky would be the word I'd choose to describe it," he drawls.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy's not so stupid as to think Childermass, or really, anyone here cared what happened to her.

"what would would you use? Barring the fact I look like I've been over by the Circle line."

[knowstheworld]

Childermass quirks something of a smirk, letting out the huff of a laugh at that.

"Well, I suppose that you could be lucky. If you really had been hit by a train and this is all you have to say for it, then I would say that you're in fact lucky indeed."

[stauncherhearted]

A bit of pride strums through her veins, and she smirks, just the tiniest bit.

"There we have it. If it were a train and not a particularly nasty staircase, this time." And not a man at all. And you're both jerks.

[knowstheworld]

Childermass huffs out a breath that might be a laugh at that. He really could get on with her, if not for Norrell. If not for Abby. If not for the appearances they probably need to keep up, for the sake of their allegiances. It isn't as though they are that different, he thinks to himself. They certainly have not come from that different a place, at least.

"You'd take care to watch your step next time."

[stauncherhearted]

They could get along, and it terrifies her. So Nancy says nothing, and keeps her chin up as best she can.

"There won't be a next time," she promises him.

[knowstheworld]

If they were friends, he would pipe up to say that more likely than not her attitude was bound to get her in trouble again sooner rather than later, whether it was with a staircase or otherwise, but he wisely keeps his mouth shut for now, instead turning out over the crowd.

"Are you here to support your friend, then?" he asks. "It's a big title to fill. Maiden of the Witches."

[ooc: please excuse the icon i'm replying from email from work and not choosing one is just a lot easier lmao...]

[stauncherhearted]

Smart, because she'd just ignore everything. If she's not in trouble, something's drastically wrong.

She doesn't' try to pretend she doesn't know Abby. Childermass knows where her allegiance is. "I am. The hospital couldn't keep me away from this today." They'll realize she's missing soon enough.

[ooc: no worries! if I ever go all default, I tend to be replying mobiley. So I don't judge.]

[knowstheworld]

Of course Childermass knows of her allegiances. It's his business to know everything about everyone that he possibly can. And to pass what useful information that he might find on to Norrell. Useful to Norrell of course does not mean useful to him, but that's neither here nor there.

He lets out the huff of a laugh, suggesting he realizes what she's getting at -- it makes sense, considering her appearance. "I'd imagine that nothing short of death itself would have done the trick."

[stauncherhearted]

"Not at all." Because that's the type of person she was. If she cared about you, Nancy would risk her life all for you. Or break out of the hospital and come all the way across town after a very nasty fight.

"She's a good friend and I'm proud of her." Friend, not necessarily coven member. But at this point, she supposed, it hardly mattered. What did Childermass know, anyway? "She needs someone on her team here- the rest of you just waiting to destroy her."

[knowstheworld]

Childermass shrugs a little. Let her think what she likes of him, he doesn't particularly care one way or the other. If she should like to include him in 'the rest of you', then let her. He had tried the help Abigail, on more than one occasion. Just because he is Norrell's man does not mean that he cannot think for himself.

"It is true. The Midnight witches have very few allies, with the current state of things. It will be difficult for her, in such a position as this," he points out.

[stauncherhearted]

She has no reason to believe otherwise. She's only ever witnessed Childermass act on Norrell's behalf. Maybe one day he'll surprise her. But today is not that day.

"Something we're both all to well aware of." She wanted a drink so badly right now, and she didn't care how it mixed with her medications.